My inspiration for this project stems from my ongoing interest in the relationships between humans and non-humans in a world characterised by advanced technologies. I find it particularly interesting to explore the intertwining of our daily lives with new technologies that utilise artificial intelligence as a tool to govern societies. Many scientists have argued that we are living in a post-human state that has a strong impact on our emotional and affective lives.  With the power of cinema, we can convey these affective experiences, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty and atmosphere through moving images to capture and critically reflect on the affective elements of our everyday lives that go unnoticed or that we as humans constantly take for granted. For this reason, it was particularly important for me to find the right distance from the story and the main character. The observational style gave us the space to not lose any important aspect of the world in which the film is set.

When we think of artificial intelligence, we often have science fiction images in mind. But many AI systems have been quietly integrating themselves into our daily lives for years. In our fast-paced consumer society, we feel that we can barely keep up with the relentless demands of supply and demand. AI is helping us to manage this chaos. Behind the scenes of powerful companies, however, AI like Lydia works unnoticed, managing entire processes while human workers – often from underdeveloped countries – do the tasks that go unnoticed by those in charge.

My inspiration for this project stems from my ongoing interest in the relationships between humans and non-humans in a world characterised by advanced technologies. I find it particularly interesting to explore the intertwining of our daily lives with new technologies that utilise artificial intelligence as a tool to govern societies. Many scientists have argued that we are living in a post-human state that has a strong impact on our emotional and affective lives.  With the power of cinema, we can convey these affective experiences, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty and atmosphere through moving images to capture and critically reflect on the affective elements of our everyday lives that go unnoticed or that we as humans constantly take for granted. For this reason, it was particularly important for me to find the right distance from the story and the main character. The observational style gave us the space to not lose any important aspect of the world in which the film is set.

When we think of artificial intelligence, we often have science fiction images in mind. But many AI systems have been quietly integrating themselves into our daily lives for years. In our fast-paced consumer society, we feel that we can barely keep up with the relentless demands of supply and demand. AI is helping us to manage this chaos. Behind the scenes of powerful companies, however, AI like Lydia works unnoticed, managing entire processes while human workers – often from underdeveloped countries – do the tasks that go unnoticed by those in charge.

The impact of AI varies greatly depending on social status. For someone in a low-paid job, such as a product picker, Lydia can be both a benefit and a disaster. On the one hand, it offers the chance to earn a better wage than at home. On the other hand, it carries the risk of dehumanising the worker and turning them into just another cog in the supply chain. As a Georgian immigrant living in Germany, I have been fortunate to experience the political and economic landscapes of both countries firsthand. This unique perspective has fuelled my passion for understanding the complexities of post-Soviet nations and their relationships with the West. I’ve witnessed the stark contrast between the aspirations of countries like Georgia and Moldova, which strive to integrate into modern Europe, and the often-misunderstood realities faced by ordinary people in Western nations.

With my documentary “How to Talk to Lydia?” I attempt to follow the complex story of Moldovan migrant workers navigating the postmodern world in foreign country, within the walls of a German warehouse, where an artificial mind named “Lydia” guides their every move.

What Lydia has become for the workers is the result of the encounter between human and non-human voices and sounds. In the first weeks of their encounter, the programme and the workers cannot understand each other properly. So while the language is supposed to be a signal, it is instead like a sound. It’s like a rite of passage through the voice, because gradually Lydia and the workers get used to each other, and what used to function as a noise is now a clear signal. In this way, Lydia creates acoustic relationships and unexpected forms and practices of work. Lydia is undoubtedly the most influential woman in the warehouse, as every single worker has a unique relationship with her, often accompanied by funny and sad stories. To lift their spirits, they often imagine Lydia as a real woman and discuss her appearance during their breaks. These conversations have not only inspired me but also reminded me of our shared humanity. I believe we are inherently creative beings, using our imaginations to transform the present into what could be.

Ruso

The impact of AI varies greatly depending on social status. For someone in a low-paid job, such as a product picker, Lydia can be both a benefit and a disaster. On the one hand, it offers the chance to earn a better wage than at home. On the other hand, it carries the risk of dehumanising the worker and turning them into just another cog in the supply chain. As a Georgian immigrant living in Germany, I have been fortunate to experience the political and economic landscapes of both countries firsthand. This unique perspective has fuelled my passion for understanding the complexities of post-Soviet nations and their relationships with the West. I’ve witnessed the stark contrast between the aspirations of countries like Georgia and Moldova, which strive to integrate into modern Europe, and the often-misunderstood realities faced by ordinary people in Western nations.

With my documentary “How to Talk to Lydia?” I attempt to follow the complex story of Moldovan migrant workers navigating the postmodern world in foreign country, within the walls of a German warehouse, where an artificial mind named “Lydia” guides their every move.

What Lydia has become for the workers is the result of the encounter between human and non-human voices and sounds. In the first weeks of their encounter, the programme and the workers cannot understand each other properly. So while the language is supposed to be a signal, it is instead like a sound. It’s like a rite of passage through the voice, because gradually Lydia and the workers get used to each other, and what used to function as a noise is now a clear signal. In this way, Lydia creates acoustic relationships and unexpected forms and practices of work. Lydia is undoubtedly the most influential woman in the warehouse, as every single worker has a unique relationship with her, often accompanied by funny and sad stories. To lift their spirits, they often imagine Lydia as a real woman and discuss her appearance during their breaks. These conversations have not only inspired me but also reminded me of our shared humanity. I believe we are inherently creative beings, using our imaginations to transform the present into what could be.

Ruso